20 Best Simulator Games on PC in 2025
Simulator games are a great way to dive into experiences you might not otherwise get to try, like flying an airplane or managing a farm. They offer something for everyone, no matter if you like realistic details or just want a fun, stress-free way to unwind.
And we are very fortunate to get such a wide variety of simulation games. But then again, so many choices lead to analysis paralysis (or is it just me?), so I decided to test and round up the best simulator games here, on this list.
I like to think there’s a lot of variety here, and you can definitely find something to love — but if you have a favorite, please let me know in the comments!
Euro Truck Simulator
I’ve spent a lot of hours in Euro Truck Simulator 2, and honestly, I didn’t expect to get so hooked. The driving mechanics are surprisingly satisfying — managing your speed, fuel, and even your driver’s fatigue really adds to the realism. The European map is impressive, and the scenery changes as you travel from country to country. Plus, the weather effects, like rain and snow, are really fun and make it feel even more true to life.
As you progress, you can upgrade your truck, hire drivers, and grow your own freight company. I loved customizing my rig and watching my business grow. Plus, the modding community is huge, so there’s always something new to try.
That said, it’s not a game for everyone. If you’re not into slow, methodical gameplay, the long hauls might get repetitive. The cities, while detailed, can sometimes feel a bit flat compared to the scenic countryside. But if you enjoy simulation games, this one’s a gem.
Farming Simulator
I recently played Farming Simulator again, and while it may seem like a simple farming game, there’s more to it than meets the eye. The sheer depth of tasks kept me hooked. You need to manage your land and all the farm elements, but not in a cutesy way you normally get with farming games. It’s more realistic, and far more challenging than that.
That said, it’s not all perfect. The game can feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers, as it doesn’t do a great job of guiding you through the mechanics.
Plus, the controls and physics can be a little finicky at times, especially when handling large equipment. But if you’re patient and enjoy slower, more methodical gameplay, it’s incredibly satisfying.
Like farming games, but maybe less challenging and on your phone? Try these.
Goat Simulator 3
Goat Simulator 3 is absolutely what it says on the tin. You’re a goat. And you’re set loose to do what you please. The open world is huge, and while there’s no real goal, the game’s freedom lets you just mess around.
You can headbutt anything, stick your tongue to weird objects, and even fly using some of the wild outfits you unlock. And you can even play it with friends in co-op mode and just goof around.
It’s easy to pick up and play but can get repetitive after a while — especially once you’ve unlocked most of the map and toys. While the glitches and ragdoll physics are part of the charm, they can occasionally get annoying. Still, if you’re in the mood for goofy fun, Goat Simulator 3 delivers the goods.
Car Mechanic Simulator
If you enjoy tinkering under the hood and want to experience the satisfaction of fixing cars, Car Mechanic Simulator is a great fit for you. Right off the bat, the game offers a slow start where you’ll be replacing basic parts like brake pads and air filters.
While this can feel repetitive at first, the more you play, the more freedom and variety you unlock. As your garage expands, you can dive into more complex repairs, and even find rusted cars in barns that you can restore to their former glory.
The camera can be a bit restrictive when working on parts, and some actions, like removing tires, don’t always match up with the animations. The early gameplay might also seem grindy, but once you get the hang of it, Car Mechanic Simulator offers a great deal of satisfaction for anyone willing to stick with it.
Storage Hustle
I’ve been diving into Storage Hustle recently, and I have to say, it’s a unique take on the simulation genre. You get to buy abandoned storage units at auctions, rummage through all the random items, and flip them for profit — kind of like a digital version of Storage Wars.
The thrill of discovering rare items and haggling with buyers at garage sales is definitely fun, but the game is still in Early Access, so it has its quirks.
On the plus side, the gameplay loop is solid. The skills you unlock are useful, and there’s a decent variety of items to find. I found myself getting addicted to auctioning and trying to haggle my way to the best deals.
However, some mechanics could use tweaking. For instance, the moving van feels a bit underwhelming compared to the truck, and the auto-sale feature can feel OP, making it easy to make money without much effort. Still, if you want to have fun for an afternoon and you like watching Storage Wars, this game might work for you.
Derail Valley
Derail Valley is train simulation that puts you in the driver’s seat, and you’re in control of the train’s operation — from managing the controls to making sure you don’t derail.
The physics are top-notch, capturing the momentum and weight of the locomotives perfectly, making every journey feel real. The in-cab details are immersive, with interactive maps, radios, and even the papers on your desk reacting to the train’s movements. It really draws you into its world, and there’s a lot to love about its dedication to realism.
However, there are some quirks. While the scenery is decent, it lacks storytelling, and the environment could use more life and variety. It’s also better in VR, but can work well enough on PC too.
Sailwind
Sailwind is one of those games where the calm and isolation of sailing across the ocean is both its charm and challenge. After spending a few hours on it, I really appreciated the slow-paced survival elements. The game gives you a sense of freedom as you take on cargo missions, fish, and explore, but it also throws in realistic obstacles like weather changes and the need for supplies.
You’ll need to pay attention to things like wind direction, boat handling, and cargo stability, which can be surprisingly tricky. The survival aspect can feel a bit grindy at times, especially if you’re running low on food or water, but it does build an interesting tension.
However, the game is still in early access, so expect some rough edges — things like unfinished visuals and occasional bugs that might detract from the experience.
Enjoy survival games? Check my top picks here.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is hands-down one of the most immersive flight experiences I’ve ever had, even if it’s not perfect. First, let’s talk about the visuals: the game does an incredible job recreating the Earth in stunning detail, with landmarks and landscapes looking realistic enough to make you want to just explore.
However, this level of fidelity can sometimes backfire. Missing textures, bizarre glitches with water and landmasses, and long load times can really break the immersion, and when they happen, it’s hard to overlook.
The gameplay itself is as complex or casual as you want it to be. The planes are incredibly detailed, and the tactile experience of piloting each one is addictive. But here’s the catch: if you’re using a basic controller, expect some serious frustrations with controls that demand precision.
Papers Please
On paper (pun intended), Papers, Please is a dystopian document-checking simulator. In practice, it’s one of the most gripping, stressful games you’ll ever play.
You step into the shoes of a border control officer in the fictional country of Arstotzka, tasked with inspecting passports, visas, and permits as political tensions rise around you. But this isn’t just about matching names to dates because your decisions have real consequences. Will you separate families to keep your job? Will you let a rebel through to fight oppression?
The game constantly tests your morality, all while you’re barely scraping by on your pitiful salary. Its pixelated visuals and oppressive soundtrack enhance the bleak mood, and somehow, sorting papers becomes tense, emotional, and addictive.
Snowrunner
In SnowRunner, despite the name, you’re not racing, you’re surviving. This off-road driving sim drops you into the harshest terrains imaginable: snowy mountains, swampy forests, and muddy backroads, all rendered in stunning detail with some of the best terrain physics in gaming.
Your job is to deliver cargo across these landscapes with giant, customizable vehicles while trying not to tip over, stall, or get stuck. Every decision matters, and even the smallest hill can turn into an hour-long challenge.
There’s also co-op play, so you and your friends can get stuck in the mud together.
Shadows of Doubt
I once recommended this game to a friend and I think they’re still out there, playing it. Shadows of Doubt is a noir detective simulator like no other. Set in a procedurally generated cyberpunk city, every citizen has a name, schedule, apartment, and secrets.
When a murder happens, it’s up to you, an unlicensed private investigator, to solve it your way. Sneak into buildings, rifle through drawers, follow suspects, hack computers, or grill witnesses face-to-face. It’s one of the most immersive and innovative simulation experiences out there, especially if you love solving mysteries without a quest marker holding your hand. If you’ve ever wanted to truly become a noir detective, this is your game.
And if you like detective games in general, I have some mobile recs here.
Back to the Dawn
Back to the Dawn lets you play as a fox journalist framed for a crime and tossed into a gritty maximum-security prison. Your goal is to survive, adapt, and maybe even escape. Build alliances, work jobs, participate in underground activities, or stir up a riot, it’s all on the table.
It’s a weirdly compelling mix of tough choices, narrative depth, and animal charm. Yes, it’s a bit wild, but Back to the Dawn proves that even in a world of furries and felonies, a simulator can still be deeply strategic and seriously fun.
Supermarket Together
Even though I played Supermarket Together… well, not together but alone, I still highly recommend it. It was fun solo, but it can be even more fun with friends.
You and friends (or you alone) run a grocery store, jugging stock, manning registers, chasing shoplifters, and meeting customer demands, all while avoiding expired milk and lost carts. It’s a lighthearted Overcooked-style simulator where coordination and communication are key. You can change store layouts, get different perks and all sorts of things. It’s still in early stages but the devs are very engaged and update the game frequently.
Animal Shelter
If you’ve got a soft spot for stray pets and love a good management sim, Animal Shelter is going to hit you right in the heart. You take charge of a rescue center, where your job is to care for abandoned cats and dogs, nurse them back to health, and find them forever homes.
It’s not all petting and playtime (though there’s plenty of that); you’ll also clean kennels, manage finances, upgrade facilities, and handle adoptions.
News Tower
News Tower is a tycoon sim that puts you in charge of a roaring media empire where you’ll be hiring writers, choosing stories, battling mafia pressure, and keeping plumbing from flooding your basement. Every floor of your tower handles a different job, from ad sales to editorial, and as circulation grows, so does the chaos. You’ll have to juggle journalist morale, weekly deadlines, and the ethical tightrope of printing what’s true vs. what sells.
Gas Station Simulator
It sounds boring., yes, I know. No one wants to work at a gas station. But Gas Station Simulator is weirdly amazing. You inherit a rundown roadside gas station in the middle of nowhere and rebuild it, one dusty broom sweep and soda shelf at a time.
What starts with painting walls and restocking chips turns into hiring staff, fixing car engines, running a car wash, and making your own little empire. The sim leans into janky charm, and its DLCs keep expanding what your station can do. It’s relaxing, a little ridiculous, and totally addictive.
Contraband Police
Take Papers, Please, add car chases and AK-47s, and you get Contraband Police. Set in a fictional Eastern Bloc country in the late ’70s, you play a border officer checking documents, inspecting vehicles, and busting smugglers hiding cocaine in tires or weapons behind dashboards.
Arcade Paradise
You start in a grimy laundromat, washing socks and scrubbing toilets. But stick with it, and Arcade Paradise reveals itself as one of the coolest management sims out there. You secretly build an underground arcade empire, one cabinet at a time, while pretending to run a family business. The best part is that every arcade machine is fully playable, from rhythm games to top-down shooters, and they’re actually good.
Power Wash Simulator
It’s you, a power washer, and a filthy world that needs a good spray-down. PowerWash Simulator is the ultimate chill sim, where pressure-washing dirty houses and playgrounds, becomes borderline spiritual.
You’ll upgrade your gear, take on weirder and bigger jobs, and slowly uncover a bizarre, charming little story behind your cleaning gigs. It’s weirdly zen, especially in co-op mode. Plus, DLCs let you clean SpongeBob’s house, Tomb Raider’s mansion, and even Warhammer 40K tanks.
Bear & Breakfast
Bear & Breakfast is a cozy management-adventure hybrid where you renovate abandoned cabins into rustic vacation getaways. You’ll decorate rooms, cook meals, manage guests, and slowly uncover the quirky story behind your woodland neighbors.
The art style is adorable, the humor is genuinely funny, and the pace is delightfully laid-back. There’s light crafting and resource management, but the real draw is the charm
One Comment